SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Health and Safety Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110081  Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Health and Safety Management 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 12 - Physical Planning and Construction  Physical Planning, Design and Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-07-25  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose
Overall, the purpose of the qualification is to develop the necessary knowledge, understanding, abilities, and skills required for practicing as a Construction Health and Safety Agent, and a Construction Health and Safety (H and S) Manager.

The qualifying learners will gain high levels of conceptual understanding required by the broadly defined challenges and problem solving skills required. Furthermore, adaptability to new challenges and technologies relies heavily on the understanding and the ability to apply fundamental conceptual knowledge and critical thinking skills. The aforementioned constitute a range of challenges in terms of managing construction H and S within the business of construction and on projects, and within the context of project management.

Rationale
The Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) industry report Construction Health and Safety Status and Recommendations highlighted the significant number of accidents, fatalities, and other injuries that are prevalent in the construction industry. This is attributed to a lack of compliance with Health and Safety (H and S) legislative requirements, which is indicative of a deficiency of effective management and supervision of H and S on construction sites as well as in advance planning from the inception/conception of projects within the context of project management. It is also evident that there is a lack of sufficiently skilled, experienced, and knowledgeable persons to manage H and S on construction sites. The report also indicated the need for professional registration of construction H and S practitioners due to, among other, the finding that there was a lack of competencies, and no formal registration process.

The Council for the Built Environment (CBE) then mandated the South African Council for the Project and Construction Management Professions (SACPCMP) register construction H and S professionals. This in turn led to the identification of three such categories of registration, namely Professional Construction Health and Safety Agent (Pr CHSA), Construction Health and Safety Manager (CHSM), and Construction Health and Safety Officer (CHSO).

This qualification will support and assist the built environment including the construction industry in terms of realising compliance with H and S legislation and regulations, and reducing the incidence of fatalities, other injuries, and disease in the industry. This will be possible due to the inclusion of H&S as a component of the subject Construction Management, the conducting of extensive research, including numerous Honours, Masters, and Doctoral studies and publishing relative to H and S.

Finally, there is recognition by and collaboration with government, industry, tertiary institutions, and professional associations, and more recently a statutory council in the form of the SACPCMP. This recognition is based upon the delivery of related professional vocational education, community engagement, and research. With respect to the broad built environment and construction industry, the harnessing of multi-stakeholder contributions with respect to construction H and S, the advent of large and also complex projects, along with the encompassing political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal (PESTEL) framework within which projects have to be undertaken, has necessitated the advent of this qualification. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Applicants who do not meet the direct admission requirements are required to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the institution that they have a qualification plus suitable experiential- or work-based learning, which has taken the applicant to the equivalent of the entry level of the qualification specified above. Such learners may be considered for admission through RPL after assessment via a portfolio of evidence, which indicates that the prior learning has been done. Applicants who, after such assessment, are deemed to have sufficient potential, but are in need of further academic development, may be required to broaden their curriculum by enrolling for preliminary modules prior to admission or parallel modules after admission. This would be expedited according to the institution's RPL Policy.

Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Bachelor of Science in Construction Studies or a relevant qualification.
    Or
  • A Bachelor qualification in one of the built environment or engineering disciplines. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level, totalling 125 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules: 125 Credits:
  • Construction Health and Safety Management 4A, 15 Credits.
  • Construction Health and Safety Management 4B, 15 Credits.
  • Construction Environmental Management 4, 10 Credits.
  • Construction Risk Management 4, 10 Credits.
  • Design Management 4, 10 Credits.
  • Project Management 4, 10 Credits.
  • Professional Practice for Construction Management A, 10 Credits.
  • Professional Practice for Construction Management B, 10 Credits.
  • Construction Health and Safety Management Treatise 4, 35 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Undertake broadly defined construction Health and Safety (H and S) planning and coordination.
    2. Manage the function of construction H and S.
    3. Contribute to the development of the project documentation in terms of H and S in the capacity as a Construction H and S Agent.
    4. Review project documentation, designs, details, and specifications.
    5. Conduct a research project and compile a treatise within a related Construction Health and Safety Management discipline area. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Organise, lead and control, and plan to meet desired business and project Health and Safety (H and S) outcomes.
  • Use construction business functions and construction resources (Construction H and S Manager).
  • Apply project design, procurement, and construction H and S outcomes (Construction H and S Agent).
  • Do planning and coordination within applicable legislation, regulations, standards, and codes of practice.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Use the functions and activities of management work to meet desired business and project H and S outcomes.
  • Apply the nine business functions within defined parameters, applicable legislation, regulations, and standards.
  • Do interfacing as defined by the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) or the Principal Agent over the six stages of projects, from project initiation and briefing to project close out.
  • Apply the ten project management knowledge areas and five project management processes, within applicable legislation, regulations, standards, and codes of practice to meet desired project H and S outcomes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Develop the client brief according to standard criteria.
  • Do a project viability and feasibility assessment that includes H and S.
  • Draft a project estimate that includes financial provision for H and S.
  • Produce a project qualification that flags key H and S issues.
  • Monitor H and S throughout design delivery.
  • Develop tender documentation that includes H and S.
  • Procure contractors considering H and S.
  • Develop construction contracts and processes, which includes reference to H and S.
  • Put project H and S reports in place.
  • Address H and S commissioning.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Review the design in terms of 'designing for construction H and S' principles
  • Review constructability and appropriateness.
  • Provide alternatives where required and where reasonably practicable.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Apply knowledge and skills related to the research process.
  • Formulate a motivation for the need for a research project.
  • Plan a research design.
  • Develop a research proposal.
  • Implement the research design, collect and interpret data.
  • Produce and submit a treatise.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessments involve, in most instances, continuously assessed course work using combinations of unseen examinations, marked reports, skills tests, and presentations. The assessment method used in each case/module is chosen in the light of the expected outcomes. Feedback is given immediately after the completion of evaluation of the assessments. Supplementary and/or re-assessments as the case may be, are given to qualifying learner.

    Formative assessments include tutorials, assignments, and presentations, which enable immediate or relative immediate feedback and the opportunity for learners to improve their performance, but which also contribute to the module mark. Summative assessments include a combination of 'continuous assessment' assessments and unseen examinations. A further such assessment being the integrative project reports in the form of the development of a business plan for a proposed business and solo presentations.

    The assessment of the 12 000 to 15 000 word CHSM Treatise is conducted by the supervisor assigned to the learner (internal examiner) and an external examiner appointed as per the standard institutional procedure for the appointment of examiners of treatises, dissertations, and theses. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Mauritius.
    Institution: University of Technology, Mauritius:
    Qualification: Bachelor of Science Honours (Hons) Occupational Safety and Health Management.

    Comparability.
    Admission requirements.
    As per institution's Admissions Regulations, and 'Admission to Programmes of Study at Degree Level'.

    Either:
    (i) Cambridge School Certificate, with credits in 5 subjects including English and Mathematics.
    (ii) at least 3 years relevant work experience in the industry.
    Or
    (ii) Cambridge Higher School Certificate with at least 2 'A' level subjects.

    Qualification purpose:
    The course has been designed for practitioners and non-practitioners and to provide them with up to date and marketable skills and knowledge that are relevant to a broad spectrum of industries and work environments.
    This Degree is designed to meet the professional development needs of safety and health professionals by providing the latest OSHM knowledge, techniques, and skills with an understanding that occupational safety and health is an integral part of doing business in the global competitive world of today. Students in this Degree program will develop the skills and knowledge needed in the field of safety and health management that will allow them to develop, implement, and maintain an effective safety and health program in today's business and bottom-line oriented companies.

    The programme offers 2 exit points at Level 2 and Level 3 which would enable the students to qualify for the award of a Diploma and Degree respectively.

    Curriculum and assessment approach:
    Modules will be serviced by full time, part time and local partners. Appropriate case studies will be dealt with.There will also be field visits or plant inspections during the second year of study. A dissertation, under proper supervision will have to be submitted in the final year of study.

    For the award of the Diploma & Degree, all modules must be passed overall with passes in the examinations, coursework and other forms of assessment. All modules will carry 100 marks and will be assessed as follows (unless otherwise specified):
  • Written examinations up to 3-hours' duration and continuous assessment carrying up to 30% of total marks.
  • Continuous assessment can be based on field visits, seminars, assignments and/or class tests.

    Comparison to the institution's qualification:
  • Two year programme - Comparable level and module structure.
  • Only has two similarities, namely Project Management in Year 4, and the Dissertation in Year 5.

    Country: United Kingdom.
    Institution: Leeds Becket University:
    Qualification: BSc Hons Safety, Health and Environmental Management (Three year qualification).

    Admission requirements:
  • UCAS Tariff Points: 72 points required. (Minimum 32 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
  • If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
  • GCSE English Language at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent.

    Qualification purpose:
    You will learn the expertise to become a Health and Safety Practitioner, with the ability to draw from a broad base of relevant topics and technical skills, along with the business knowledge to apply theories to develop practical solutions. The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload is indicative and may be subject to change.

    Qualification outcomes.
    At the end of the course, students will be able to:
  • CLO1 Work professionally following both legislative and best practice requirements to address a complex range occupational safety and health issues.
  • CLO2 Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of hazards in the workplace and application of practical control measures to control the hazards found that may adversely affect occupational health safety and welfare in all workplaces.
  • CLO3 Function effectively in a dynamic digital global working environment through an ability to act autonomously, to plan and implement tasks in a professional manner, using a range of traditional and electronic methods or equipment.
  • CLO4 Communicate to the different stakeholders involved, using digital and traditional methods, ensuring all levels of the workforce are provided with professional advice and that decisions can be understood by specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • CLO5 Apply research techniques and use of original thought to develop the professional knowledge that assists competence to be maintained.
  • CLO6 Determine your personal professional development needs and adopt a reflective learning approach to support your operating effectively in a dynamic digital global working environment.

    Comparison to the institution's qualification:
    Three year programme

    Undergraduate.

    There are only two similar modules, namely Environmental Science (Management), and Research.

    Country: Ireland.
    Institution: Institute of Technology Sligo.
    Qualification: Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Occupational Safety and Health.

    Admission requirements:
  • Applicants should have attained a relevant level 7 Degree or equivalent.
  • Candidates with a relevant level 7 Degree, such as the Bachelor of Science Occupational Safety and Health from IT Sligo, or similar, are eligible to apply.

    Qualification purpose:
    This programme deals mainly with the management of occupational safety and health in the workplace. It provides practical opportunities to develop the skills and knowledge to manage workplace safety and health issues.

    Comparison to the institution's qualification:
    In line with this qualification, but credits are different. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Construction Management, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Masters by research in Construction Management, Level 9.
  • Masters by research in Construction Economics, Level 9.
  • Master's by coursework in the Built Environment, Level 9 (including all five specializations). 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Nelson Mandela University 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.